Former Nairobi Woman Rep aspirant behind TSP-UDA merger deal

The recent partnership between the Service Party and the United Democratic Alliance is expected to strengthen the ties between Deputy President William Ruto and former CS Mwangi Kiunjuri.

Kiunjuri who is the party leader of TSP has largely been touted as one of the leaders who may deputize Ruto come 2022.

The Deputy President is understood to be eyeing Mt Kenya as a preferred region to produce his running mate.

In recent weeks, Kiunjuri has stepped up his campaigns in support of the DP as the best man to succeed Uhuru.

According to a memorandum of understanding (MoU), the agreement was signed on February 14 and is focused on the 2022 succession politics.

“The purpose of this MOU is to formalize a framework of cooperation and to facilitate collaboration between the Parties in support of the 2022 Agenda for capturing the presidency, building on their comparative advantages and ensuring mutual reinforcement,” the document reads in part.

The document recognizes Kiunjuri as the party leader of TSP and Ruto is as the party leader for UDA.

“We are convinced that cooperation and collaboration between the Parties would serve their common objectives and render their respective activities more effective and beneficial ahead of 2022 elections," the MoU read.

The agreement was placed under the stewardship of former nominated MCA Bernadette Wangui Nganga as the vice-chairman on the TSP and ousted Jubilee deputy secretary-general Caleb Kositany as the secretary-general on the UDA side.

Nganga is a seasoned politician having contested for Nairobi Women Rep in 2017 but narrowly lost with word going around she’s throwing herself in the Nairobi Nairobi ring once again in 2022.

The agreement deal will remain afloat for three years with eligibility to be extended for a further three years unless the parties change their stand.

The MoU comes at a time the political heat is rising in the country, with UDA lieutenants accusing President Uhuru Kenyatta of betraying his deputy William Ruto.

Political analyst Festus Irungu opines that Kiunjuri is best suited to pair with Ruto owing to his vast experience in politics and his acceptability across the Mt Kenya region.

Irungu, however, said Kiunjuri, who was kicked out of the Cabinet in January last year, should reach out to the other leaders and rally them behind him.

"Kiunjuri is a front runner for the position owing to his long stay in politics and leadership. If he can talk to the rest of the leaders to support him, he is the most trusted leader among the youth and the elderly," he said.